Jamie Nye: Not quite yet

The Riders are closing the gap between themselves and the class of the CFL, the Calgary Stampeders.

That much was clear on Sunday in a 15-9 loss.

They held the Stamps out of the end zone and at 6-2 at half. It was quite the different feel compared to the game from earlier in the season when the Riders trailed 17-0 early.

The similarity between the two games was the line play. The Calgary Stampeders up front on the offensive line and defensive line beat the Roughriders in both games. This one led to Chris Jones trying to save his quarterback by putting in Brandon Bridge to feel the pounding Kevin Glenn was feeling for the majority of the afternoon.

However, as this season has progressed, so too have the Riders. Now the team is considered a playoff contender, but more steps are needed before they enter the Grey Cup contender status.

It wasn’t a step back on Sunday, but it was dose of reality of where they truly stand in CFL pecking order.